It’s enough to make a metals trader or buyer need a stiff cocktail. How about a nice Moscow Mule in a copper mug? Two ounces of vodka, four ounces of ginger beer and one ounce of lime juice just isn’t the same in glassware. How can your fizzy ginger beer be served in plain, old glassware? Well, badly.
When vodka comes into contact with the walls of a copper mug, oxidation begins which boosts the aroma, and in turn s taste of vodka. Cold copper may increase the amount of bubbles in the ginger beer, offering maximum fizz to the cocktail. Even the taste of the lime juice is enhanced by cold copper and it reduces the acidity of the drink to complement the ginger beer.
Served Better in Metal
The original Moscow Mules demanded strict eight-ounce copper mugs, even. Sadly, the mixology craze has not yet pushed enough copper mugs onto shelves to effect the Copper MMI. If prices stay low, perhaps more and more mules will be sold and more bars will invest in copperware causing a Friedmanian run on copper. Pass me another full mug, please.
Our Russian friend is not the only cocktail to be enhanced by delivery in a metallic vessel.
Silver and Mint Juleps
Mint Juleps are said to be better served in silver cups, again to enhance the taste of the mint and the bourbon, although this precious metal investment is a bit more pricy than the copper mugs of the pride of Moscow.
With summer upon us, it’s a good time to break out the metal drinking vessels, anyway, and get the best outdoor experience from your oxidizing and cold, metal vessels. That and it’s barbecue season. Even foodsafe stainless steel has gotten into the act. Hard to believe that there was a time when beers weren’t packaged in aluminum cans, isn’t it?
Make sure to enjoy your metal-cupped cocktails safely this summer. No one wants their next drink to come from a tin cup.
by Jeff Yoders